Toothpick



H. ZIMMERMAN TOOTHPICK Filed Aug. 16, 1927 INVENTOR.

Patented Dec. 27, 1927. r

a 1,esi,230

HENRY ZIMMERMAN, 0J3 DAYTON, @1110 TOOTHPIGIK,

Application filed August 16, 1927 This invention relates to improvements in tooth picks. In the accompanying drawings, which serve for illustre ing the invention:

Fig. l is a view illustrating the tooth picl: as applied to the teeth;

F 2 is a view illustrating the toothpick in the first step of formation;

Fig. 3 is a view illustrating the final form of the tooth pick.

he objects attained in the invention consist in a toothpick which is suitably curved at its opposite ends tor being applied :troni outside or inside the tooth line, between back teeth which are not readily accessible with an ordinary straight tooth pick, and which is made of Wood, being adapted. for low cost production and to be sold at a popu lar price.

The improved tooth picks are adapted to be made ot wood commonly used in the manufacture of tootl'ipicks, straight grain wood, curved with the grain, being; preierred to prevent breaking of the toothpicks across the grain.

To this end the tooth picks are Formed. straight, as illustrated. in Fig; 2, in the first step out production, inthe usual practice. The product is then steamed to render the wood pliable for it'orniinp; the opposite curved ends, and for msintaii'iing the curvatures when the product dries. The tooth picks are curved, preferably one end inverse to the other.

I are swore of certain tonne of metal and quill curved toothpieks produced in the art heretofore, but am not informed that any such earlier forms were commercialized for general. use. The earlier toru'is of curved toothpicks of which I have knowledge are relatively high in cost of production; they could not be manufactured and sold in any quantities at a popular price, and are not Serial No 213,348.

known to be on the market at any price. Furthermore, metal toothpielrs are not generally approved.

My improved toothpiol-t meets every requireinent from the view point oi approved material, cost of proi'luctiou and price to the consumer, "with the added adicuituge ot be ing better adapted to the requirements ot use.

Tl'ie use oi ordinary machinery is cont plated tor producing the tooth pic st'aight torimitiou, special apparatus 'lor steaming; and curving the ends being; in do-- i eloplnent, which constitutes separate inventive subject matter.

I claim as my invention:

1. A toothpick made of a suitable fiber, as wood, comprising an intermedi: straight portion, and opposite ends ULUW d for introducing the some between teeth from outside or inside the tooth line.

2. A. toothpick made of suitable Jiher, mi wood, comprising an intermediate straig it portion, and opposite ends curved inversely, one end to the other, tor iutrochutinp the saline between teeth from outside or inside the tooth line.

3. A toothpick mode of suitable iiher, as 7 wood, comprising a straight iortio'e, and an end curred with a grain oi the fiber tor introducing the same between teeth from outside or inside the tootl'i line.

4:. The herein desi'iribed u'iethod oil ll'lult- 7s ing fiber toothpiclrs consisting}: forming; a straight length of liber, in me E11,. 7 fiber for rendering," the no pliaide. in ,7 r ing the fiber and causing; the curvatures to take permanent term.

In testimony whereof, I at'fii; my signs ture. 

